Page 151 - MDSL Final

CONCEPTS AND APPLICATION OF MARITIME POWER
by guided or unguided weapons from vessels at sea. The covert nature
of submarines means they can play an important part in the projection
of maritime power. 87

Maritime Power and Modern Developments

Technology seeks to increase the ability of naval
forces to influence events on land and in the air. Thus,
the development of extended range missiles, such
as cruise missiles and guided munitions, increasingly
integrate the air, sea and land battle. In addition,
traversing the slow and difficult shore terrain in
amphibious operations can now be coupled to the use
of hovercraft or helicopters to deliver ground forces
well inland in a battle ready state. Thus naval and
amphibious forces can be utilised in a wide range of
new situations. Both these developments are closely
linked to improved battle space management systems
and also the development of the ability of naval units
to view over the horizon and intervening terrain to
intervene in the land and land-air battles.

These new capabilities of sea borne forces are
counter-balanced by improvements in surveillance
and anti-ship weapons that pose challenges for the
defence of sea borne forces. Thus the effective use
of sea borne forces in a threat environment requires
careful assessment of an adversary’s capabilities and
the balancing of offensive and defensive capabilities.
This means the integration of land, air and naval
forces together with supporting intelligence and
surveillance elements.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 133